Franklin barritt



1 (No Model.)

I. BARRITT. INDEXFOR BOOKS.

Patented Sept. 29, 1891.

11v VENTOR,

WITNESSES:

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UNITED STATES i PATENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN BARRITT, on NEW YORK, N. Y., AssIeNoR TO CHARLES H. DENIsoN.

INDEX FOR BOOKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 460,519, dated September 29, 1891.

Application filed November 14, 1890- Serial No. 371,391. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANKLIN BARRITT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county of New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Indexes for Books, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification thereof.

The object of my invention is to provide dictionaries, directories, and such like books with an index so arranged that it will give or approximately give the page containing the word or name, said index likewise serving as a book-mark.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a view of a dictionary, showing it open and provided with my improved index. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same, showing my improved index serviceable as a book-mark.

Letter A represents a book-in this case a dictionary.

B is the index, consisting of two pieces C D, made of the shape shown and of leather, paper, cloth, or imitation thereof, or of metal, if some cases require it. Part C is attached to the part E of the cover F of the book, and part 1) to part G of the cover. The mode of fastening these parts to the cover can be by pasting or any other suitable means. I show these parts attached to the lower edge of the cover, as shown, and I find in practice this to be the best, yet they may be and can be attached to the outer edges of the cover or to the top edges thereof and effect almost a similar result, although notso advantageous. The upper side or surface of part 0 is divided off into thirteen (13) vertical'squares or divisions h and twenty-six horizontal squares or divisionsi. The upper side or surface of part D is also divided into thirteen vertical squares or divisions h and twenty six horizontal squares or divisions i. The thirteen squares of each part 0 D contain the letters of the alphabet from A to Z, inclusive, placed above or below the squares in separate squares, as shown.

The twenty-six horizontal squares of each of the thirteen vertical squares of each part 0 and D may contain the twenty-six letters of the alphabet, or only those letters which join the letters of the vertical squares. To illustrate, letterA of the vertical squares w1ll join in sound with the twenty-six letters of the alphabet. Hence the twenty-six horizontal squares of the vertical square A will contain all the letters of the alphabet; but letter M will qnly join with a, e, i, n, o, u, and y in sound. Hence only seven of the twenty-six horizontal squares will contain letters of the alphabet. These twenty six horizontal squares or divisions will likewise contain numerals opposite each letter in the said horizontal square of each vertical square. These numerals designate the page whereon commences the combined vertical square letter and horizontal letter. To illustrate, Af of the vertical square A and horizontal square f of said square A has numerals 13 opposite the horizontal square letter f, designating that At commences on page 13 of the book.

Sutiicient has been said to illustrate the principle of my invention. Now for its application. Let us presume the book before us is a dictionary and it is required to find the word monarchy. The book is opened and the parts or lapels C D withdrawn and ex hibited to view, as shown in Fig. 1. By simply glancing over the surfaces of these parts C D and finding vertical square M, and then following down said square until horizontal square with o is reached, and then looking alongside of that letter will the numeral 195 appear, designating the page upon which the combined letters Mo commenced. Now, by simply turning to that page and running along the column or columns (as the case may be) with M0, the word monarchy will soon be found.

By this arrangement I am able to find a word, if it should be a dictionary, or a name, if it should bea directory, in a shorter space of time than can be done by the present system of indexing, and this saving of time does not only amount to something-of itself, but has the advantage of preventing the thoughts from being broken by unnecessary labor and confusion necessary to find a word or name by the present dictionaries or directories.

This system of indexing does not distiure the book or add to its cost.

The parts 0 D can be used as abook-mark, (see Fig. 2 at g,) or when not in use they can be folded in against the cover, as shown in Fig. 2 at m.

The under side of the lapels C D can be divided off into another set of squares, and said squares contain letters and numerals to accommodate a book divided into two separate arrangements of words or names, orthe lapels can have on the under side printed names, rules, advertisements, or any other useful information or picture.

The principle of this invention is applicable to the Holy Bible or books containing other books 01 chapters or such like.

Vhat I claim is In an index for dictionaries, the lapels (J D, secured to the cover of the said dictionary in the manner shown and described, the said lapels provided each with thirteen (13) vertical columns or spaces, each again divided off into twenty-six horizontal spaces, the thirteen vertical columns of the lapels, twentysiX in all, containing the alphabet from A to Z, inclusive, and the twenty-six horizontal spaces of each of the vertical columns containing letters of the alphabet which agree in sound with the alphabet-letter of the vertical columns, and the said alphabet-letter of the twenty-six horizontal spaces having placed opposite it numerals, substantially for the purpose set forth and the obj eet specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of 0 November, 1890.

FRANKLIN BARRITT.

lVitnesses:

DAVID M. EDsALL, L. N. GILLIs. 

